Bright smiles, BRIGHT FUTURES
Teach your kids the importance of oral hygiene
Abeautiful smile can light up a room — and no-one knows this better than Seleisa Kolone, a Plunket nurse for B4 School Checks. Seleisa has worked as a Plunket nurse for six years and says the best part of her job is working alongside whanau to provide children with the support they need to ensure they have the best start possible at school.
Plunket has worked in partnership with Colgate and the New Zealand Dental Association since 2007, with a collaborative aim to promote good oral health for all New Zealand children and establish healthy oral hygiene habits from an early age.
“In my time as a Plunket nurse doing B4 School Checks, I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact of this partnership — I just look at the smiles of our kids!” says Seleisa.
“The B4 School Checks are really important as they provide a great opportunity to pass on oral health tips to parents and children, such as brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, limiting sugary drinks and having regular dental check-ups,” says Seleisa. Colgate gives a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to every Plunket baby at their five-month visit and again at their B4 School Check.
“Children love receiving the gift of a Colgate toothpaste and toothbrush; they get very excited and often want to brush their teeth at the check! Parents are also very appreciative and it creates such a positive way to talk about oral health,” she says.
“Colgate, NZDA and Plunket are committed to supporting better oral health outcomes for Kiwi families and we are excited to continue delivering vital oral health messages and growing the programme year to year.”